Amy Dickinson: Hear boyfriend's concerns and end the ring campaign

Dear Amy: My boyfriend and I have been together since we were 16. We are now 22 years old and graduated from college and are working in our professional fields.

We moved in together last June. I am ready to get engaged and married and within three years start to have children. He, on the other hand, is not ready for any of that.

We recently went to a friend's wedding. He felt very uncomfortable about it (as did I) and we got into a huge fight. How do I speed up the process of getting that ring on my finger and carry on with our life together? -- Anxious

DearAnxious: Let's imagine that you successfully pressure your guy and get everything you want with the timetable you've attached to it. You get this by arguing about it and pressuring him. He relents because he loves you and wants you to be happy, because you've worn him down and because he can't think of truly "valid" reasons to delay.

The years fly by. Your husband wakes up one day and realizes he's 30 years old with three children. A vague unhappiness sets in. He can't really put his finger on the cause. He wonders if he ever really wanted the life he leads. He wishes he was single, and he blames you that he's not.

Of course, none of this might happen, but putting the pressure on increases the odds that you both will have regrets later.

Table the topic for six months. Circle a date on the calendar when you mutually agree to talk about it again. The only power you should be prepared to wield is your choice to stay or leave.

Dear Amy: My husband and I get together with another couple quite often.

Something troubling has always occurred when in their company, and this problem is escalating. For reasons unknown to us, the wife lashes out with anger and insults directed at her husband. She does this freely in our presence.

This rarely has to do with events of the moment, and usually is an overall character attack. Her husband is a quiet and kind person. When these episodes occur, we three remain silent.

I do not want to witness this. I cannot continue seeing them under these circumstances. I feel that I have to explain to her how I feel about this. My husband feels that I will destroy the relationship if I talk with her about it. He suggests seeing them less. What's your take? -- Frustrated

Dear Frustrated: Your friend may have a personality disorder that causes her to lash out. Or she might be a domineering, rude, unfeeling person. The reasons for her behavior might be too complicated for you to divine.

You should start by saying how much you enjoy spending time with them. And then you say, "I need to talk to you about the way you lash out at Stanley; this makes me uncomfortable. And I'm worried about you. Can we talk about it?"